#18 From Paddle Coaching to Purpose: Why Aloha Athletics Is Evolving into a Mindset and Community Movement

#18 From Paddle Coaching to Purpose: Why Aloha Athletics Is Evolving into a Mindset and Community Movement

This episode marks the next chapter for Aloha Athletics, one that’s been a long time coming. In today’s episode, I’m pulling back the curtain and sharing the full story: how Aloha Athletics began, what it’s become, and why I’m pivoting from paddle coaching into something so much bigger, a movement rooted in mindset, growth, and community. You’ll hear about: * The lessons endurance sports taught me about mindset and resilience * Why I’m shifting focus to the community building, Endless Aloha Challenge, and mental performance tools. * What inspired the rebrand from Training Chats to Glitter & Carbs * The vision for the future: bringing athletes together to do hard things, grow, and celebrate the process Aloha Athletics has always been about endurance, growth, and heart. Now, it’s becoming a place where athletes of all kinds can connect, build mental strength, and do hard things together, on and off the water. If you’ve been part of this community from the start, thank you for being here as we grow and evolve. And if you’re new, welcome this is where grit meets gratitude, and endurance meets aloha. MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE * Endless Aloha Challenge – Join the 2026 Challenge [http://Aloha-Athletics.com] * Follow Aloha Athletics on Instagram [http://Instagram.com/aloha.athletics] for updates and mindset tools

#17 Chris Thomas: Fastest Known Paddle Paddling's Answer to FKT

Fresh off his solo victory at the Alabama 650, paddling legend Chris Thomas joins us to talk about building Fastest Known Paddle (FKP), the definitive database for paddling records and routes. Chris is the founder of the Fastest Known Paddle website, which has become the go-to platform for documenting and celebrating paddling FKTs around the world. But he's not just building the platform he's out there setting records himself. From conquering the Yukon 1000 to his recent solo Alabama 650 win, Chris lives and breathes long-distance paddling. Chris is also the host of Dabbling in Paddlism, a podcast exploring all things paddling In this conversation, we dive into: * What inspired him to create Fastest Known Paddle and how it's changing the paddling community * The physical and mental demands of ultra-distance paddling races * The overlap between endurance running, paddling, and other adventure sports Connect with show host and guest: * Chris Thomas [https://www.instagram.com/____seetee____/] * Dabbling In Paddlism [https://www.instagram.com/dabbling_in_paddleism/] * FKP [https://www.instagram.com/fastest_known_paddle/] * Lindsey Tilton [https://www.instagram.com/earthgrownlindsey/] * Aloha Athletics [https://www.instagram.com/aloha.athletics] Join the Endless Aloha Challenge [http://Aloha-Athletics.com], a year-long paddling event where participants aim to paddle 2025 miles throughout 2025, with milestone goals and monthly raffles. This community-driven challenge keeps paddlers motivated through all four seasons while celebrating achievements with badges, prizes, and the supportive spirit of Aloha.

#16: Maddi Leblanc - Saying Yes to Big Dreams

Saying Yes Before You Feel Ready: Maddi LeBlanc on Trust, Timing, and Chasing the M2O Dream What happens when your dream opportunity shows up before you're “ready”? When Canadian SUP champion Maddi LeBlanc got the chance to race Moloka’i 2 O’ahu, her dream event just two weeks before the start, she said yes. In this episode, Maddi and I talk about what it means to trust your gut, embrace imperfect timing, and let sport ground you during life’s transitions. From journaling practices to mental training, this convo is for anyone navigating the space between readiness and risk. In this episode: * How Maddi ended up at M2O with two weeks notice * How Maddi stayed grounded and adaptable in the face of uncertainty * Why sport became her anchor through personal change * Her mindset tools, including journaling and visualization * Letting go of perfect timing and trusting your inner “yes” This is a vulnerable, inspiring episode about trusting your gut, answering the call, and letting sport be more than performance. 📲 Follow along on Instagram: @aloha.athletics [https://instagram.com/aloha.athletics] @earthgrownlindse [https://www.instagram.com/earthgrownlindsey]y @Maddi3Leblanc [https://www.instagram.com/maddi3leblanc/] 🧠 Want to go deeper? * Join our free monthly Athlete Book Club [https://aloha-athletics.com/2025/08/18/august-book-club-inner-excellence/] for guided mindset work and journaling prompts * Show notes [https://aloha-athletics.com/2025/08/19/maddi-leblanc-saying-yes-to-big-dreams-even-when-the-path-isnt-perfect/] with action items to apply the lessons form this conversation

#15 Racing the Quit Monkey with Paolo Marconi: How to Outlast the Voice That Wants You to Stop

In this episode of Training Chats with Aloha Athletics, Lindsey Tilton sits down with elite paddler and author Paolo Marconi to talk about the mental side of ultra endurance racing. Paolo shares powerful insights from his new book, Racing the Quit Monkey, which explores the inner voice that shows up when we’re deep in discomfort—and how to keep going anyway. Lindsey and Paolo dive into the mindset tools that fuel high-performance athletes, including breathwork, yoga, and the mental strategies that help you overcome the urge to quit. They also reflect on their shared experience paddling 48 hours at Last Paddler Standing and how endurance sports teach lessons that extend far beyond the finish line. Whether you're a stand-up paddleboarder, endurance athlete, or just someone looking to build more resilience, this episode will leave you with practical tools and a deeper understanding of how to train your mind like you train your body. Topics covered: * The Quit Monkey: what it is and how to outlast it * Lessons from SUP ultras and mindset breakthroughs * The role of breathwork and yoga in peak performance * Training for mental toughness, not just physical strength * Why purpose matters more than pace Join the Aloha Athletics free community book club

#14 Reframing a DNF: The Mindset Shift Behind Letting Go, Moving Forward, and Growing Along The Way

In this episode of Training Chats with Aloha Athletics, Lindsey Tilton dives deep into the rarely discussed topic of DNFs (Did Not Finish). She shares her personal story of not finishing the Suwannee 230 due to a head and neck injury and discusses the emotional and mental challenges that come with making the decision to stop. Lindsey reframes the concept of failure, highlighting how DNFs can lead to growth, resilience, and alignment with long-term goals. She emphasizes that true mental toughness is knowing when to push forward and when to step back, and urges athletes to celebrate hidden wins and make decisions that align with their bigger purpose. This episode encourages listeners to view DNFs not as failures but as opportunities for learning and growth